The 2018 season has been a nightmare for the Leeds Rhinos, who for the second time in three seasons find themselves fighting for their life in Super League having failed to secure a place in the Super 8s.
After winning their eighth Super League Grand Final in 2017, the Rhinos have flopped, just as they did in 2016 after winning the competition. Without Danny McGuire in the halves, Leeds are lacking direction, and now, the West Yorkshire outfit are losing another member of their famous golden generation.
Over the last three years, Kevin Sinfield, Jamie Peacock, Kylie Leuluai, Rob Burrow and McGuire have all departed, with Ryan Hall now confirmed to be leaving the English game for a crack at the NRL at the age of 30. Hall has been a regular on the wing for Leeds since his debut in 2007, but the colossus winger will end his spell with his boyhood club in October before linking up with the Sydney Roosters in the NRL.
The Sydney Roosters have agreed to terms with England International Ryan Hall, who will join the club in 2019: https://t.co/IfsVsglDND #EastsToWin pic.twitter.com/ozjxzy2iDc
— Sydney Roosters (@sydneyroosters) July 19, 2018
Over Hall’s time in the first-team at Headingley, he has been superb on the wing, constantly developing his game. The 30-year-old started out as a try-scoring winger, but in recent times, he has become almost like a seventh forward, with his powerful running becoming a trademark, alongside some impressive finishes. His efforts haven’t gone unnoticed, with the NRL constantly monitoring him and the Roosters eventually getting Hall’s signature. He has become a world-class talent at Leeds, featuring regularly for England over the years under a number of coaches. His try-scoring record for his country stands at an impressive 36 tries in 38 appearances, with plenty of those coming against Australia, which will have enhanced his reputation down under. We will soon find out if Hall is a success in Australia, but before that, he has plenty to play for with Leeds. The 6ft 2inch winger will not want to leave his boyhood club in the second division, which is looking a possibility, with Leeds left fighting for survival in the Qualifiers. Currently, Leeds are expected to come through, with bet365’s Rugby League betting market pricing the Rhinos at 5/4 to put a difficult season behind them and secure Super League status next season.
So many tries, so many trophies, so many memories 💪
When @Ryan5Hall leaves @LeedsRhinos in October, he’ll leave as a legend 🦏 pic.twitter.com/PUU95epogp
— Betfred Super League (@SuperLeague) July 17, 2018
Although they will be going up against lower league opposition, who have a much lower budget, things will not be straightforward, with the inexperienced Sinfield leading the Rhinos. Of course, Sinfield as a player was untouchable, he was once the world’s best and will go down in Super League history as the competition’s most successful captain. However, off the field, he is about to find a lot out about himself in the Qualifiers.
Sinfield will be turning to his old teammate Hall to have an impact between now and the end of the season. The winger deserved to go out on a high like Sinfield, McGuire and co, but that isn’t to be, with Leeds not competing for a ninth Super League trophy. However, as exciting as Hall’s new challenge is, it will be devastating for the winger to leave his boyhood club without their Super League status. He will want to go out on a high.
rlobsessed.com 